The latest Famitsu scans for Seiken Densetsu DS: Children of Mana have confirmed some new information about the Nintendo DS action RPG. Previous information suggested that developer Next Entertainment, under the supervision of Mana series creator Koichi Ishii, was striving to create a game very similar to the Super Nintendo classic, Secret of Mana. The most recent information confirms that trend.

Famitsu confirms that Secret of Mana's "ring command" system will be returning in Children of Mana. The ring will be accessed through the DS's touch screen, and developers promise that it will allow for quick and easy menu controls.

Additionally, two new characters have been introduced to Children of Mana after having made appearances in Secret of Mana. Watts, the Dwarven blacksmith who tempered the weapons for heroes Randi, Purim, and Popoi in the SNES game will be returning in Children, this time as a wanderer from an unnamed country with, if the rumors are true, noble blood in his veins. Moti, the turban-wearing, constantly dancing shopkeeper in Secret of Mana will also be showing up. He will be filling the role of Town Elder on Illuja Island, from which Children of Mana heroes Flick, Tumble, and Pop originate. Famitsu has commented that both of these characters will have bigger roles than they did in Secret of Mana.

Seiken Densetsu DS: Children of Mana is slated for a release this coming winter in Japan. Though Square Enix has not yet remarked upon a North American localization, the game's name has been trademarked in the US.